Cook Islands cricket men’s side recorded their consecutive win in the ICC East Asia Pacific Sub Regional Qualifier A tournament in Apia, Samoa, yesterday.

After a historic nine wicket win over Vanuatu on Friday, the national side stunned the hosts Samoa in a seven-wicket win.

Samoa batted first but crumbled against a superb bowling attack from the Cook Islands, losing all wickets in just 18.3 overs for a meagre 104 runs.

Milton Kavana, who bowled less than an over, managed one wicket for only a run, Jared Tutty two wickets for 17 runs, Oscar Taylor three wickets for 36 runs, Liam Denny took two wickets for 26 runs, Cory Dickson one wicket for 14 runs and Tomakanute Ritawa one wicket for five runs.

In reply, Cook Islands managed to reach the target in 14.5 overs with a loss of three wickets.

Opener Hayden Dickson, who scored a century against Vanuatu, continued his fine form managing 30 runs – five fours and one six.

Aue Parima and Cory Dickson formed a solid partnership, scoring 25 and 30 runs, respectively, to achieve the target.

Team manager Rahul Patil said: “It was the perfect game. We bowled well, fielded brilliantly, and then showed a lot of maturity and composure to get to the target comfortably.”

“Cory Dickson got the player of the match award for his all-around display with ball and bat. Cory bowled his four overs for only 14 runs and picked up a wicket, whereas with the bat, he showed a lot of maturity and was unbeaten on 30 of 27 balls with one six and two fours.”

Cook Islands now sit at the top of the table and play Fiji who lost to Vanuatu by 36 runs yesterday.

The winner of this tournament will join the EAP Sub Regional B winner, four Asian Sub Regional Qualifiers, as well as Nepal, Oman and Papua New Guinea.

Three of those nine teams will advance to the 2026 T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka.

Four Rarotonga based players, Tim (Teaomua) Anker, Pita Ravarua, Tiaki Wuatai and Tomakanute Ritawa, joined the remaining members of the national team based in New Zealand. The NZ-based players are: Ma’ara Ave (Captain), Liam Denny, Cory Dickson, Hayden Dickson, Milton Kavana (vice-captain), Aue Parima, Thomas Parima, Andrew Samuels, Oscar Taylor and Jared Tutty.